Marist College Ashgrove dominate St Peters Lutheran College

Powerhouse centre Campbell Moller ignited a 61-0 statement from Marist College Ashgrove, who steamrolled St Peters Lutheran College in AIC schools rugby.

No 10 Lachlan McDonald from Marist Ashgrove passes the ball. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

Powerhouse centre Campbell Moller ignited a 61-0 statement from Marist College Ashgrove, who steamrolled St Peters Lutheran College in AIC schools rugby.

The Marist outfit were bigger, stronger and better organised when racing in 11 tries at Mayer Oval against a Saints side which showed up only intermittently after halftime (19-0).

Marist looked to be playing with an overlap even when down to 14 men for 10 minutes when prop Harry Clements was yellow carded for a tip tackle because they still scored two tries in that period.

AIC RUGBY: Big 11-try win for @marist_ashgrove over St Peters 61-0. Hat-trick try for Josh Billing pic.twitter.com/fMAoq97fA9

— Jim Tucker (@HulaBulaJim) April 30, 2019

Much of the space on the edges for impressive hat-trick winger Josh Billing was created by the direct, straight running of outside centre Moller, who worked well with the similar traits of midfield partner Josh Radford.

The centre pair are in the second year of First XV rugby and it showed. Dynamic Murgon-bred fullback Floyd Aubrey enjoyed his licence to bob up anywhere and he handled three times in the build-up to Billing’s hat-trick try.

Flanker Lachlan Howse set the physical tone early while St Peters No. 8 John Radel’s own strong ball-carting was a feature of the first half.

Impressive winger Josh Billing crossed for a hat-trick. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

No. 15 Floyd Aubrey from Marist Ashgrove celebrates after a try. Picture: Image AAP/Steve Pohlner

Marist will have to beat stronger school XVs if they are win a solo premiership this year but it was a strong start that showed the value of four pre-season games.

“Having a couple of games under the belt definitely helped our organisation and it wasn’t the easiest day, a midweek match, after school and greasy conditions,” Marist coach Anthony Mathison said.

“The direct style of our centres is a real strength, Lachlan Howse made plenty of dominant contacts early and it all helps us give Floyd plenty of licence to play to his strengths of running and footwork.”

A new AIC rugby season for the blue+gold of @marist_ashgrove...Wait blue+pink. It’s 19-0 HT over St Peters anyway pic.twitter.com/k63Fyj9nzv

— Jim Tucker (@HulaBulaJim) April 30, 2019

St Peters forwards coach David Mollah said it was a tough learning day for the Saints.

“It was if we didn’t realise it was a full 70-minute game because the foot came off the pedal in the second half and that is something for our young side to learn against a good opponent,” Mollah said.

Headgeared replacement forward John Spencer relished the porous defence late in the game with two tries in three minutes with determined running.

SCOREBOARD

MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE 61 (J Billing 3, C Moller 2, J Spencer 2, N Baker, G Rosanowski, D Ludwick, M Mee tries; L McDonald 3 conv) d ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE 0

Marist Ashgrove prop Harry Clements received a yellow card for this tackle on Tjark Gaide from St Peters. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

Originally published as Marist College Ashgrove dominate St Peters Lutheran College